Comparative ESSAY PREP

Comparing Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods

Instructions, prompts, tips, & scoring guidelines

APWH RHS Mrs. Osborn

COMPARE - CONTRAST

WAL-MART vs TOM THUMB

WAL-MART TOM-THUMB

MILK MILK

BREAD BREAD

ICE CREAM ICE CREAM

TIRES

SHOES

ANALYZING VS. LISTING

Listing:

Wal-Mart sells milk, bread, ice cream, shoes, and tires. Tom

Thumb sells milk, bread, and ice cream.

Analyzing:

Wal-Mart and Tom Thumb sell many of the same products, such

as milk, bread, and ice cream. However, because Wal-Mart can

afford a larger variety of vendors and more floor space, it can

also offer shoes and tires. This larger variety of products has

attracted more customers and made Wal-Mart the leader in

American retail sales.

SIMILARITY SIMILAR

SIMILARLY

THE SAME AS

IN COMPARISON

COMPARATIVELY

BOTH

ALSO

COMPARABLE

COMMENSURABLE

OF THE SAME

ORDER

WORTHY OF

COMPARISON

MEASURE UP TO

MATCH UP WITH

PARALLEL

ANALOGOUS

ANALOGICAL

COLLATABLE

CORRELATIVE

LIKE

EQUAL

CORRESPONDING

DIFFERENCES

IN CONTRAST

DIFFERENTLY

ON THE OTHER HAND

EVEN THOUGH

ALTHOUGH

WHEREAS

BUT

INCOMPARABLE

INCOMMENSURATE

DISSIMILAR

UNLIKE

DISTINCT

DISTINCTIVE

OPPOSE

HETERODOX

DIFFERENCE

DISTINCTION

DISSIMILARITY

VARIES

VARIATION

DIVERGENCE

DISPARITY

INEQUALITY

CONTRARY

OTHERWISE

DISTINCT

PECULARLY

Listed are words denoting

“similar” and “different.” There

are variations based on word

combinations and tenses but this

list should provide some

assistance in making directed

comparisons. Avoid comparable:

it means “can be compared.”

FAQs

• On Tuesday, 9/3, you will write your first

comparative essay in APWH!!!

• This is a diagnostic essay. What does that

mean????

• Mrs. Osborn wants to see how well you write, so

she can design a strategy tailored to your needs &

help you polish your essay-writing skills.

• Over the weekend, review your notes, PERSIAN-I

charts, & Chapter 1 in your textbook.

• Write key points you want to make on a 3x5 index

card. You may use it while writing your essay.

Writing your essay…

• ALL essays are timed writings, so prepare!

• You have a choice of four prompts.

• When writing your essay…

• USE PAST TENSE.

• NO FIRST PERSON (I, you, me, we, etc.).

• This is an academic essay – use appropriate

language. (no slang, abbreviations, etcetera.)

• Careful with indefinite pronouns. “Their

system was different to that because they

replicated it with them.”

COMPARATIVE ESSAY PROMPTSUno - Analyze the similarities and differences of the

political structures of the Paleolithic and Neolithic

Periods.

Dos - Analyze the similarities and differences of the

economic systems of the Paleolithic and Neolithic

Periods.

Tres - Analyze the similarities and differences in how

people in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Periods

adapted to and used their environments.

Cuatro – Analyze the similarities and differences in the

social structure of the Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods.

TIPSThesis Paragraph – an example

Opening sentence. . .

There were many similarities and differences in TOPICduring the Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods.

Thesis statement . . .

Both the Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods’ TOPIC had ____________, but only the Paleolithic Period had _________.

OR, A similarity during the Paleolithic & Neolithic Periods’ TOPIC was ______. The main differences were that _______ and ____________.

TIPSBody Paragraphs

Write a TOPIC SENTENCE dang it!

The topic sentence connects the paragraph to the thesis statement (The ways India and China expanded). Both Classical

Indian and Chinese Civilizations began with military expansion (government control).

ANSWER THE PROMPT – continue to tie your essay back to the prompt and your thesis (double check your topic sentences.)

Know where the points are scored. You will have a scoring guideline on your desk.

Comparative Essay Scoring Rubric

1. Has an acceptable thesis (1 point)

2. Addresses all parts of the question. (2 points)

3. Supports thesis with appropriate historical evidence. (2 points)

4. Makes at least three

relevant, direct

comparisons between and

among societies. (1 point)

5. Analyzes at least two

reasons for a similarity or

difference identified in the

direct comparison.

(1 point)

6. Switching tense and/or

using pronouns (- 1 point)

ESSAY STRUCTURE

• Addresses all parts of the question. (2)

• Supports thesis with appropriate historical evidence. (2)

• Switching tense and/or using pronouns (- 1)

• Paragraph 1: Topic sentence & Thesis statement (1)

• Paragraph 2: Includes at least three relevant, direct comparisons between and among societies. (1)

• Paragraph 3: Analyzes at least two reasons for a similarity or difference identified in the direct comparison. (1)

• For this essay, “Just the facts, Ma’am.” We will address

closing paragraphs & the expanded core at a later date.

MRS. OSBORN’S SCALED SCORES

• 7=97

• 6=92

• 5=87

• 4=82

• 3=77

• 2=73

• 0-1=70 (only because this is a diagnostic essay)

• Writing mechanics will not play a major factor as long as it does not cloud your argument.